Self-Assessment of Reasoning - mynursingprofessionalportfolio



Self-Assessment of ReasoningMaggie SilerFerris State UniversityAbstractThis paper contains the author’s personal growth experience in Ferris State Universities Fall 2011 Transition into Professional Nursing course. Areas of interest to be reviewed include: personal strengths and weaknesses in the use of the elements of reasoning/critical thinking skills, attention to intellectual standards, and insights for improvement. Also critically presented is the use of concise, accurate presentation, including supporting evidence and analysis of growth. Correct APA format, sentence structure, and the importance of proper grammar usage are also highlighted.Self-Assessment of ReasoningThe skills learned throughout this course have produced great personal and professional growth for the author. Improved critical thinking and writing skills over the progression of this semester are only two of the benefits conferred. Some of those abilities have not been utilized educationally for many years and it is good to use them again. It is even better to learn new skills while improving on the old. APA format is a newly learned skill. Using the elements of reasoning is also a new and very thought provoking concept. The idea of 98.6? (or any other subject) never had such detail before learning that method of thinking. Utilizing the grading rubric and criteria for grades provided this student is deserving of an “A”. Each assignment has been given full attention and best effort. Evidence of self-determined strengths and weaknesses from previous work will be demonstrated below. Specific StrengthsThe author’s greatest strengths in the process of critical thinking using the elements of reasoning are defined below. It is believed that strengths outweigh weaknesses, in reinforcement of the above stated grade. Supporting examples of work, including analysis and commentary, are provided. Purpose Ideas are presented in a clear, concise manner. Mastery of a wide vocabulary is demonstrated. There is a distinct understanding of the written work by the author. It is easily understood by the reader. Below is an example from week 7 critical thinking MCJ that supports clarity of purpose.1) Purpose98.6? is a unit of measure which is broadly accepted as a normal body temperature for humans. There are many variations on normal which must always be considered. Temperature measurement should be used comparatively and as part of an overall assessment to evaluate problem areas. (Siler, 2011) Inference and InterpretationTopics are interpreted in a well-focused manner. The issues are summarized and applied to current applications. This area of reasoning is addressed in a detailed, well thought out manner. The writing is logical and readily demonstrates strong critical thinking skills. Below an example is provided from week 9 Evidence Based Practice Proposal (EBPP) that supports good use of inference and interpretation.8) Inference and interpretationI conclude that there is a growing body of evidence supporting the importance of a healthy work environment for all nurses. The successful achievement (or even approach to) this goal can have many far reaching positive effects on our entire healthcare system. It can directly result in happier, more competent nurses. This will lead to improved, safety, and more cost effective care for each patient. (Siler, 2011, p. 5) Accuracy of InformationAll information presented is accurate and readily accessible through the use of correct APA reference formatting. All writing includes the support of professionally written and reviewed scholarly journal articles. Good reasoning skills are clearly demonstrated. Below is an example from the author’s annotated EBPP.Weston, M. J. (2010, January 31). Strategies for enhancing autonomy and control over nursing practice. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01Man02 Marla Weston is a doctoral prepared nurse leader with over thirty years of management experience. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Nurses Association. For years her work has centered on enhancing autonomy and control in the practice of nursing. This article is well organized and easy to read. It asserts that increasing autonomy and control over the practice of nursing allows each nurse the power to best contribute nursing specific knowledge and expertise to the benefit of all: nurses, patients and the health care system. Achieving the goal of nursing autonomy requires structure and processes which are outlined by the author in this article. Enhanced autonomy can lead to improved professional engagement and ownership for each nurse in their practice. The final outcome is to improve the health of the work environment thus positively impacting the quality of patient care, organizational function, and professional nursing satisfaction. (Siler, 2011, p. 2)Point of ViewThe point of view is clearly introduced and presented. Without clear reasoning and presentation, an author’s point of view statement is not supportive of the direction of the work. This author believes a defined point of view is presented and supported by the following example from her evidence based practice proposal (EBPP).3) Point of viewUnhealthy work environments add to stress levels, errors and less than optimal outcomes. In this day of payment based on evidence based care and positive outcomes, the principle of healthy work environments cannot be ignored. (Siler, 2011, p. 5) Specific WeaknessesIt is believed that the author’s weaknesses related to critical thinking are in the minority. To identify a limitation is the basis for improvement. Learning the elements of reasoning has strengthened the author’s critical thinking abilities. Utilization of the elements of reasoning provides a great base on which to improve these skills. Breaking down automatic thought processes into smaller identifiable parts produces a whole new process. With time these limitations can be built into strengths through use and practice. Examples and commentary are provided below.Question at IssueThe question at issue often becomes blurred with purpose. It seems that to discern the question at issue is the same thing as the purpose of the written statement. In reality, they are complimentary, but distinctly different. The purpose is meant to state what is to be accomplished. The question at issue is the topic to be addressed. The lack of distinction between question and purpose are demonstrated below from week eight’s metacognition journal (MCJ).1) PurposePromoting healthy work environments allows all nurses to practice to the best of their ability. This can lead to many far reaching positive implications.2) Questions at issue or central problemHealthy work environments improve patient safety and quality care delivery as well as increase employee job satisfaction. (Siler, 2011)Concept and IdeaThe element of concept and idea was initially difficult to evaluate in the author’s initial use of this method of thinking. Examining a topic with each element was a new experience. Looking at the main concept and deciding how it fit into the main purpose is challenging. It is believed that improved use of this element is noted in the EBPP. “If a patient should present with a 102.6? temperature with localized pain/erythema further evaluation and care can be prioritized based on these findings” (Siler, 2011) is an example of weaker utilization of the concept element.AssumptionsIn this age of evidence based care an assumption is not a natural thing to do. As an element of reasoning it must be examined. This would ensure that strong reasoning is used in the thought process. To carefully evaluate one’s assumptions can clear any irrelevant information from the thought process. “Healthy work environments are a critical component of increasing patient safety as well as the recruitment and retention of quality staff” Siler, 2011) is an example the author’s early use of the element of assumption.Implications and ConsequencesSimilar to the elements of question at issue and purpose, the elements of implications and inference/ interpretation become blurred in the author’s thinking. They have great similarities but are distinctly different. Again, it is difficult to stop and break down years of automatic thought into eight distinct elements. With time and repetition the use of these elements will become more natural leading to improved critical thinking skills. This process will gradually raise the bar of the author’s intellectual standards. An apparently abnormal reading should “require further evaluation to continue data collection or determine efficacy of interventions” (Siler, 2011) is an example from week seven’s MCJ that demonstrates needed improvement of the use of this element. ReferencesSiler, M. A. (2011). 98.6 Critical thinking MCJ [Microsoft Word File].Siler, M.A. (2011). Evidence based practice proposal [Microsoft Word File].Siler, M.A. (2011). Healthy work environments MCJ [Microsoft Word File].AppendixSTUDENT declaration of SELF-ASSESSMENTI, ___Margaret Anne Siler_____________, understand that the purpose of this assignment is to assess my own performance of my thinking across the semester in NURS 324.? If successful, this report will make it possible for those who read it to grasp explicitly what I have and have not learned this semester in the way of thinking skills and abilities.? It will itself display critical thinking about my thinking.? I will begin by stating the grade, which I believe that I have the evidence to support. ?I will build a case for my grade using the criteria below and excerpts from my own work as substantiation.? (Note:? Ironically, a well-reasoned case for your getting a low grade may well justify you’re getting a higher grade, while a poorly-reasoned and weakly supported case for getting a high grade will certainly guarantee a lower grade.? The most impressive response will be an accurate assessment of your strengths and weaknesses leading to the well-substantiated conclusion that you deserve the grade that you do in fact deserve.)My Areas of Strength:? I am best at the thinking skills listed below (hint there are 8 EOR).? In each case, I will attach evidence from my work along with accompanying analysis and commentary.?1. Purpose2. Inference and interpretation3. Information4. Point of viewMy Areas of Weakness:? I am weakest at the thinking abilities listed below.? In each case, I will attach evidence from my work along with accompanying analysis and commentary.1. Question at issue2. Concept and idea3. Assumptions4. Implications and consequencesMy grade for the metacognitive journal should be: _A_, based on the criteria for grades provided in the course materials.? Attached is a summary of the reasoning on which I base my judgment. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download